Recent studies on consumer behavior unveiled that people using a home theater system rarely install the rear speakers, because of the hassle of laying those long wires.

Pixa presented at this year's CES its newest “home theater in a box” budget system, with wireless surround speakers. This system is supposed to save you from the above mentioned trouble. But along with that, come some other few advantages.

The Advantage of Having Wireless Surround Speakers

If you decide to use only the wired satellites and the subwoofer you can set up a 5.1 channel sound. By adding the two wireless rear speakers — that are placed in the same cabinet at a 45-degree angle each — you get a 7.1 channel sound. The whole package is priced at $299 — a lot less than you'd have to pay for each component separately.

The two wireless rear speakers utilize DRSS technology. This enables audio waves to bounce off the walls and back to the listener, enhancing the surround sound effect.

These speakers can also work independently, by attaching the wireless transmitter (included) to any other stereo in the house. In this way you can have the music broadcasted in any room, from any source you choose.

The wireless speakers work on the 2.4 GHz frequency, so it wouldn't interfere with older cordless phones and baby monitors (working on 900 MHz. frequency). However, these speakers might interfere with newer cordless phones that work too, on the 2.4 GHz frequency.

Pixa Home Theater — what's in the Box

The Pixa Home Theater System is available in two configurations:

1. with a 7.1 speaker kit including the wireless rear speakers;
2. or in a 5.1 configuration with 3.1 front wired speakers and 2.0 rear wireless speakers ($249).

Options include $39.99 wireless headphones for private listening and a $39.99 USB transmitter for connecting the wireless speakers to a PC.

Overall, the Pixa Pack looks like that:

• Combined progressive-scan DVD player/stereo receiver
• Component video Y/Cr/CB, S-Video and composite video output
• Fiber optical and coaxial output
• 2.4 GHz wireless rear speakers
• 7.1 CH including 2 wireless speakers
• 2.4 GHz transmitter
• AM/FM Radio tuner